人M-CSF与SCF融合蛋白的构建及其在昆虫细胞中的表达

应用重组DNA技术构建M CSF与SCF的融合基因并将其克隆于昆虫杆状病毒转移载体 pVL13 92中 ,通过与野生型苜蓿夜蛾核型多角体病毒 (AcNPV)DNA共转染草地夜蛾细胞Sf9,融合基因插入AcNPV基因组。重组病毒感染单层Sf9细胞后 ,表达产物分泌到胞外培养液中 ,用MTT比色法和TF 1细胞株可检测到表达产物与IL 3的协同效应。上述研究为开发具有应用价值的新型细胞融合因子奠定了基础     

Hyperthermia Induces Apoptosis through Endoplasmic Reticulum and Reactive Oxygen Species in Human Osteosarcoma Cells

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a relatively rare form of cancer, but OS is the most commonly diagnosed bone cancer in children and adolescents. Chemotherapy has side effects and induces drug resistance in OS. Since an effective adjuvant therapy was insufficient for treating OS, researching novel and adequate remedies is critical. Hyperthermia can induce cell death in various cancer cells, and thus, in this study, we investigated the anticancer method of hyperthermia in human OS (U-2 OS) cells. Treatment at 43 °C for 60 min induced apoptosis in human OS cell lines, but not in primary bone cells. Furthermore, hyperthermia was associated with increases of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and caspase-3 activation in U-2 OS cells. Mitochondrial dysfunction was followed by the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria, and was accompanied by decreased anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL, and increased pro-apoptotic proteins Bak and Bax. Hyperthermia triggered endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, which was characterized by changes in cytosolic calcium levels, as well as increased calpain expression and activity. In addition, cells treated with calcium chelator (BAPTA-AM) blocked hyperthermia-induced cell apoptosis in U-2 OS cells. In conclusion, hyperthermia induced cell apoptosis substantially via the ROS, ER stress, mitochondria, and caspase pathways. Thus, hyperthermia may be a novel anticancer method for treating OS.     

DNA表达载体构建及HIV多表位核酸疫苗的设计与表达

目的利用塞姆利基森林病毒(SFV)复制子构建新型真核表达载体,并对含HIV-1中国流行株B亚型核心蛋白p24及多表位MEG嵌合基因的核酸疫苗进行表达与鉴定。方法将含SFV复制子的元件从pSFV-MCS中切下,连入含CMV启动子及增强子的pIRESneo载体中,构建新型真核表达载体pCS,再将含HIV-1 MEGp24基因插入至pCS载体中,构建重组核酸疫苗pCS-MEGp24。用脂质体法将重组质粒转染入BHK-21细胞,进行表达产物的检测。结果间接免疫荧光检测显示,重组质粒转染的BHK-21细胞能有效表达HIV-1 MEGp24,并与HIV阳性血清反应。结论所构建的核酸疫苗可在BHK-21细胞系内进行表达,且MEGp24基因的表达蛋白具有特异性,为构建新型HIV-1中国流行株核酸疫苗的可行性提供了重要实验依据。     

丙型肝炎病毒NS5B全长基因及截短形式基因的克隆、表达及鉴定

目的构建丙型肝炎病毒(HCV)NS5B-FL、NS5B-C21和NS5B-C51重组原核表达载体,并进行目的蛋白的表达及鉴定。方法利用PCR技术扩增3种长度的NS5B基因,经BamHI和XhoI双酶切后连接到经同样酶切的原核表达载体pET-28a(+)上,转化大肠杆菌BL21(DE3),IPTG诱导表达重组蛋白,并进行纯化及鉴定。结果所构建的3种重组质粒pET-28a(+)-NS5B-FL、pET-28a(+)-NS5B-C21和pET-28a(+)-NS5B-C51,转化大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)后,经PCR及酶切鉴定,均能扩增或酶切出相应大小的目的基因片段,表达的6His-NS5B-FL融合蛋白主要以包涵体形式存在,而表达的6His-NS5B-C21和6His-NS5B-C51融合蛋白的可溶性明显增加。纯化的6His-NS5B-C21蛋白未发生降解,6His-NS5B-FL和6His-NS5B-C51蛋白发生了部分降解。纯化后的3种蛋白均能与丙肝患者血清发生反应。结论已成功构建了3种NS5B基因的重组表达载体,并获得了目的蛋白表达,为进一步抗HCV药物的筛选奠定基础。     

Different Cell Responses to Hinokitiol Treatment Result in Senescence or Apoptosis in Human Osteosarcoma Cell Lines

Hinokitiol is a tropolone-related compound isolated from the heartwood of cupressaceous plants. It is known to exhibit various biological functions including antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant activities. In the study, we investigated the antitumor activities of hinokitiol against human osteosarcoma cells. The results revealed that hinokitiol treatment inhibited cell viability of human osteosarcoma U-2 OS and MG-63 cells in the MTT assay. Further study revealed that hinokitiol exposure caused cell cycle arrest at the S phase and a DNA damage response with the induction of γ-H2AX foci in both osteosarcoma cell lines. In U-2 OS cells with wild-type tumor suppressor p53, we found that hinokitiol exposure induced p53 expression and cellular senescence, and knockdown of p53 suppressed the senescence. However, in MG-63 cells with mutated p53, a high percentage of cells underwent apoptosis with cleaved-PARP expression and Annexin V staining after hinokitiol treatment. In addition, up-regulated autophagy was observed both in hinokitiol-exposed U-2 OS and MG-63 cells. As the autophagy was suppressed through the autophagy inhibitor chloroquine, hinokitiol-induced senescence in U-2 OS cells was significantly enhanced accompanying more abundant p53 expression. In MG-63 cells, co-treatment of chloroquine increased hinokitiol-induced apoptosis and decreased cell viability of the treated cells. Our data revealed that hinokitiol treatment could result in different cell responses, senescence or apoptosis in osteosarcoma cell lines, and suppression of autophagy could promote these effects. We hypothesize that the analysis of p53 status and co-administration of autophagy inhibitors might provide more precise and efficacious therapies in hinokitiol-related trials for treating osteosarcoma.     

Entrectinib—A SARS-CoV-2 Inhibitor in Human Lung Tissue (HLT) Cells

Since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, pharmaceutical companies and research groups have focused on the development of vaccines and antiviral drugs against SARS-CoV-2. Here, we apply a drug repurposing strategy to identify drug candidates that are able to block the entrance of the virus into human cells. By combining virtual screening with in vitro pseudovirus assays and antiviral assays in Human Lung Tissue (HLT) cells, we identify entrectinib as a potential antiviral drug.     

Cell-Based Odorant Sensor Array for Odor Discrimination Based on Insect Odorant Receptors

The olfactory system of living organisms can accurately discriminate numerous odors by recognizing the pattern of activation of several odorant receptors (ORs). Thus, development of an odorant sensor array based on multiple ORs presents the possibility of mimicking biological odor discrimination mechanisms. Recently, we developed novel odorant sensor elements with high sensitivity and selectivity based on insect OR-expressing Sf21 cells that respond to target odorants by displaying increased fluorescence intensity. Here we introduce the development of an odorant sensor array composed of several Sf21 cell lines expressing different ORs. In this study, an array pattern of four cell lines expressing Or13a, Or56a, BmOR1, and BmOR3 was successfully created using a patterned polydimethylsiloxane film template and cell-immobilizing reagents, termed biocompatible anchor for membrane (BAM). We demonstrated that BAM could create a clear pattern of Sf21 sensor cells without impacting their odorant-sensing performance. Our sensor array showed odorant-specific response patterns toward both odorant mixtures and single odorant stimuli, allowing us to visualize the presence of 1-octen-3-ol, geosmin, bombykol, and bombykal as an increased fluorescence intensity in the region of Or13a, Or56a, BmOR1, and BmOR3 cell lines, respectively. Therefore, we successfully developed a new methodology for creating a cell-based odorant sensor array that enables us to discriminate multiple target odorants. Our method might be expanded into the development of an odorant sensor capable of detecting a large range of environmental odorants that might become a promising tool used in various applications including the study of insect semiochemicals and food contamination.     

幽门螺杆菌尿素通道蛋白基因(ureI)的克隆及其表达和纯化

目的　对幽门螺杆菌尿素通道蛋白基因ureI进行克隆、测序 ,并在昆虫细胞中表达及进行产物纯化。方法　克隆ureI基因 ,经测序正确后 ,酶切、连接到pFASTBACHb质粒上 ,与穿梭载体DH10BAC转座 ,获得Bacmid ureI质粒 ,转染Sf9细胞 ,采用Ni2 +螯合琼脂糖亲和层析纯化 ,经SDS PAGE和Westernblot鉴定。结果　克隆了ureI基因 ,并在昆虫细胞Sf9中表达纯化 ,蛋白纯度达 85 %以上 ,并与 6 His单抗特异结合。结论　表达及纯化的ureI蛋白为进一步研究打下了基础     

Self-assembled HCV core virus-like particles targeted and inhibited tumor cell migration and invasion

We used a baculovirus expression system to express fusion proteins of HCV core, RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp) peptide, and IFN-α2a fragments in Sf9 cells. Western blotting and electron microscopy demonstrate that HCV core, peptides RGD, and IFN-α2a fusion proteins assemble into 30 to 40 nm nano-particles (virus-like particles, VLPs). Xenograft assays show that VLPs greatly reduced tumor volume and weight with regard to a nontreated xenograft. Migration and invasion results show that VLPs can inhibit the migration and invasion of the breast cancer cells MDA-MB231. This study will provide theoretical and experimental basis for the establishment of safe and effective tumor-targeted drug delivery systems and clinical application of VLPs carrying cell interacting cargo.     

2-O-Methylhonokiol Suppresses HCV Replication via TRAF6-Mediated NF-kB Activation

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is associated with various liver diseases. Chronic HCV infection is characterized by an abnormal host immune response. Therefore, it is speculated that to suppress HCV, a well-regulated host immune response is necessary. 2-O-methylhonokiol was identified by the screening of anti-HCV compounds using Renilla luciferase assay in Huh 7.5/Con 1 genotype 1b replicon cells. Here, we investigated the mechanism by which 2-O-methylhonokiol treatment inhibits HCV replication using real-time PCR. Our data shows that treatment with 2-O-methylhonokiol activated innate immune responses via nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-kB) pathway. Additionally, the immunoprecipitation result shows that treatment with 2-O-methylhonokiol augmented tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR)-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) by preventing p62 from binding to TRAF6, resulting in reduced autophagy caused by HCV. Finally, we reproduced our data with the conditioned media from 2-O-methylhonokiol-treated cells. These findings strongly suggest that 2-O-methylhonokiol enhances the host immune response and suppresses HCV replication via TRAF6-mediated NF-kB activation.     

乙型肝炎病毒表面抗原中蛋白基因在昆虫细胞中的表达及其初步鉴定

从乙肝阳性人血清中克隆HBV含前s区表面抗原基因（PreSZ＋S），将其插入到杆状病毒转移质粒PVL1393中，并与昆虫病毒ACNPVDNA共转染Sf9昆虫细胞，筛选出重组病毒。用乙肝放免（RIA）试剂盒及EIAPreS2－Ag检测试剂盒检测重组病毒感染的Sf9细胞，表明细胞中有HBsAg及PreS2－Ag存在。将重组病毒感染的细胞免疫小鼠，在小鼠血清中能检测到anti-HBsAg及anti-PreS2抗体。     

口蹄疫病毒2B基因绿色荧光蛋白融合表达质粒的构建及表达

目的构建口蹄疫病毒(FMDV)2B基因绿色荧光蛋白(GFP)融合表达质粒,并在BHK-21细胞中表达。方法RT-PCR扩增O型口蹄疫病毒WFL株的2B基因,克隆入表达载体pEGFP-C1,并进行双酶切、PCR及测序鉴定。将阳性重组质粒转染BHK-21细胞,检测绿色荧光蛋白的表达和2B基因转录水平。结果经双酶切及PCR鉴定,目的基因片段大小与预期相符,测序结果与WFL株相应序列一致。荧光显微镜和流式细胞仪均检测到细胞内绿色荧光蛋白的表达,荧光定量PCR检测到细胞内有2B基因的转录。结论已成功构建了FMDV2B基因GFP融合表达质粒,并在BHK-21细胞中获得了表达。     

Alpha Ketoglutarate Exerts In Vitro Anti-Osteosarcoma Effects through Inhibition of Cell Proliferation,Induction of Apoptosis via the JNK and Caspase 9-Dependent Mechanism,and Suppression of TGF-β and VEGF Production and Metastatic Potential of Cells

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common type of primary bone tumor. Currently, there are limited treatment options for metastatic OS. Alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG), i.e., a multifunctional intermediate of the Krebs cycle, is one of the central metabolic regulators of tumor fate and plays an important role in cancerogenesis and tumor progression. There is growing evidence suggesting that AKG may represent a novel adjuvant therapeutic opportunity in anti-cancer therapy. The present study was intended to check whether supplementation of Saos-2 and HOS osteosarcoma cell lines (harboring a TP53 mutation) with exogenous AKG exerted an anti-cancer effect. The results revealed that AKG inhibited the proliferation of both OS cell lines in a concentration-dependent manner. As evidenced by flow cytometry, AKG blocked cell cycle progression at the G₁ stage in both cell lines, which was accompanied by a decreased level of cyclin D1 in HOS and increased expression of p21^Waf1/Cip1 protein in Saos-2 cells (evaluated with the ELISA method). Moreover, AKG induced apoptotic cell death and caspase-3 activation in both OS cell lines (determined by cytometric analysis). Both the immunoblotting and cytometric analysis revealed that the AKG-induced apoptosis proceeded predominantly through activation of an intrinsic caspase 9-dependent apoptotic pathway and an increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. The apoptotic process in the AKG-treated cells was mediated via c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK) activation, as the specific inhibitor of this kinase partially rescued the cells from apoptotic death. In addition, the AKG treatment led to reduced activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) and significant inhibition of cell migration and invasion in vitro concomitantly with decreased production of pro-metastatic transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) and pro-angiogenic vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in both OS cell lines suggesting the anti-metastatic potential of this compound. In conclusion, we showed the anti-osteosarcoma potential of AKG and provided a rationale for a further study of the possible application of AKG in OS therapy.     

Growth and Potential Damage of Human Bone-Derived Cells on Fresh and Aged Fullerene C60 Films

Fullerenes are nanoparticles composed of carbon atoms arranged in a spherical hollow cage-like structure. Numerous studies have evaluated the therapeutic potential of fullerene derivates against oxidative stress-associated conditions, including the prevention or treatment of arthritis. On the other hand, fullerenes are not only able to quench, but also to generate harmful reactive oxygen species. The reactivity of fullerenes may change in time due to the oxidation and polymerization of fullerenes in an air atmosphere. In this study, we therefore tested the dependence between the age of fullerene films (from one week to one year) and the proliferation, viability and metabolic activity of human osteosarcoma cells (lines MG-63 and U-2 OS). We also monitored potential membrane and DNA damage and morphological changes of the cells. After seven days of cultivation, we did not observe any cytotoxic morphological changes, such as enlarged cells or cytosolic vacuole formation. Furthermore, there was no increased level of DNA damage. The increasing age of the fullerene films did not cause enhancement of cytotoxicity. On the contrary, it resulted in an improvement in the properties of these materials, which are more suitable for cell cultivation. Therefore, fullerene films could be considered as a promising material with potential use as a bioactive coating of cell carriers for bone tissue engineering.     

新城疫病毒TL1株F、HN蛋白基因共表达对细胞融合的影响

目的分析新城疫病毒TL1株F、HN蛋白基因共表达对细胞融合的影响。方法在6孔细胞培养板上将4种重组表达质粒以pCI-M+pCI-NP+pCI-F和pCI-M+pCI-NP+pCI-F+pCI-HN两种组合分别共转染BHK-21细胞,转染后48h,光镜观察细胞融合现象。在25cm2细胞培养瓶中,将4种重组表达质粒以上述两种组合分别共转染BHK-21细胞,转染后48h,收集细胞上清,离心后,电镜观察有无病毒样颗粒。结果以pCI-M+pCI-NP+pCI-F+pCI-HN组合共转染BHK-21细胞,可以观察到明显的细胞融合现象,而以pCI-M+pCI-NP+pCI-F组合共转染的BHK-21细胞则未出现细胞融合现象。两种组合共转染均形成了新城疫病毒样颗粒,包含HN蛋白基因的4种重组质粒组合共转染形成的病毒样粒子更接近于真实的新城疫病毒粒子。结论HN蛋白基因具有促进细胞融合的功能,新城疫病毒样颗粒的成功表达为新城疫病毒致病机理和新型疫苗的研究奠定了基础。     

Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Extracellular Vesicles in Osteosarcoma Pathogenesis and Therapy

Osteosarcoma (OS) is an aggressive bone tumor that mainly affects children and adolescents. OS has a strong tendency to relapse and metastasize, resulting in poor prognosis and survival. The high heterogeneity and genetic complexity of OS make it challenging to identify new therapeutic targets. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent stem cells that can differentiate into adipocytes, osteoblasts, or chondroblasts. OS is thought to originate at some stage in the differentiation process of MSC to pre-osteoblast or from osteoblast precursors. MSCs contribute to OS progression by interacting with tumor cells via paracrine signaling and affect tumor cell proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, immune response, and metastasis. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), secreted by OS cells and MSCs in the tumor microenvironment, are crucial mediators of intercellular communication, driving OS progression by transferring miRNAs/RNA and proteins to other cells. MSC-derived EVs have both pro-tumor and anti-tumor effects on OS progression. MSC-EVs can be also engineered to deliver anti-tumor cargo to the tumor site, which offers potential applications in MSC-EV-based OS treatment. In this review, we highlight the role of MSCs in OS, with a focus on EV-mediated communication between OS cells and MSCs and their role in OS pathogenesis and therapy.     

Expression and Purification of EPHA2 Tyrosine Kinase Domain for Crystallographic and NMR Studies

The receptor tyrosine kinase EPHA2 is overexpressed in several cancers (breast, head and neck, non‐small‐cell lung cancer). Small‐molecule‐based inhibition of the EPHA2 kinase domain (KD) is seen as an important strategy for therapeutic intervention. However, obtaining structural information by crystallography or NMR spectroscopy for drug discovery is severely hampered by the lack of pure, homogeneous protein. Here, different fragments of the EPHA2 KD were expressed and purified from both bacterial (Escherichia coli, BL21(DE3) cells) and insect cells (Spodoptera frugiperda, Sf9 cells).¹H,¹⁵N HSQC was used to determine the proper folding and homogeneity of all the constructs. Protein from E. coli was well‐folded but unstable, and it did not crystallize. However, a construct (D596–G900) produced in Sf9 cells yielded homogenous, well‐folded protein that crystallized readily, thereby resulting in eleven new EPHA2–ligand crystal structures. We have also established a strategy for selective and uniform ¹⁵N‐amino acid labeling of EPHA2 KD in Sf9 cells for investigating dynamics and EPHA2–drug interactions by NMR.     

呼吸道合胞病毒合胞体形成机制的研究进展

呼吸道合胞病毒(Respiratory syncytial virus,RSV)属于副黏病毒科肺炎病毒亚科病毒,是一种引起人严重呼吸道疾病的病原体,主要感染婴幼儿、老年人及免疫缺陷的成年人。病毒合胞体的形成是RSV感染细胞导致细胞病变的最主要特征。有研究表明,RSV的受体黏合和促融合活力主要依赖2个不同的刺突结构,分别是吸附(G)糖蛋白和融合(F)糖蛋白,G糖蛋白的主要作用是促进RSV与靶细胞的吸附,而F糖蛋白的主要作用是促进病毒与细胞、细胞与细胞之间的融合。本文就近几年RSV合胞体形成机制的研究进展作一综述。     

Identification of Novel Small Molecules as Inhibitors of Hepatitis C Virus by Structure-Based Virtual Screening

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3/NS4A serine protease is essential for viral replication, which is regarded as a promising drug target for developing direct-acting anti-HCV agents. In this study, sixteen novel compounds with cell-based HCV replicon activity ranging from 3.0 to 28.2 μM (IC₅₀) were successfully identified by means of structure-based virtual screening. Compound 5 and compound 11, with an IC₅₀ of 3.0 μM and 5.1 μM, respectively, are the two most potent molecules with low cytotoxicity.